Simon Katich
Simon Katich (credits - Getty Images)

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s head coach Simon Katich has said that he is open to playing IPL 2020 outside India after the BCCI suspended it indefinitely due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in India. With the coronavirus outbreak bringing the world to a standstill, the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was postponed from March 29 to April 15.

On Friday, latest reports suggested that the BCCI is probing into the July window to conduct the IPL and it could take place behind closed doors. However, all hopes have once again vanished as IPL 2020 has been postponed further after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the lockdown in the country to battle the spread of the coronavirus would continue until May 3. The BCCI. on Thursday suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 indefinitely in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.

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IPL Trophy. Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

Now, RCB head coach Simon Katich has said that he has no issues if this year’s IPL takes place outside India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Simon Katich Open To Playing IPL 2020 Outside India

“Whether it would be in Australia (or elsewhere), that’s an interesting topic of conversation. There would be a few teams – us in particular at RCB, we’d be very happy for it to be played abroad, because a number of our overseas players are Australian and South African, who really would enjoy these conditions in Australia,” Katich told SEN Radio.

Simon Katich
Simon Katich during a fielding drill. Source: Getty Images

“It would be interesting to see if that would eventuate but obviously it’s one of many scenarios that’s being discussed,” Katich added.

People In India Have To Be Realistic As Well: Simon Katich

“It’s obviously the biggest T20 tournament in the world and the people there love their cricket. But I think they’re also realistic to know that they have to sit tight and wait like everyone else in the world, and ride this out however long that takes,” Katich said.

“There is a huge economic side to this in terms of what the IPL generates, not only for the Indian economy but also for the franchises as well, and for the BCCI. I guess the thing that has to be weighed up is there’s probably a little bit of a difference in terms of the IPL,” he added.

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IPL Cup (Credits – Twitter)

“Because of the amount of eyeballs that are on the IPL in India when it’s on in April and May, it is a scenario where it is potentially still very commercially viable being played with empty stadiums, so that’s something no doubt they’ll be weighing up,” Katich said.

“In the past there’s been talk of ratings figures of 80 million people watching games. At the same time, there’s obviously a lot of health regulations that need to be followed to make sure that no-one’s endangered, whether that’s the public or the players and support staff,” he added.

The IPL took place in South Africa in 2009 owing to the general elections in India at the same time. Besides, due to the same reason, a part of the tournament was held in the UAE in 2014.

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Also Read: Sri Lanka Cricket Offers To Host IPL 2020

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